Patent GB-1513593-A (GB)
Title: Device for the insertion of separators or intermediate members between respective pairs of strings of a racquet
IPC: A63B51/11
Filed: 1976-05-17
Abstract: 1513593 Racket stringing BABOLATMAILLOT-WITT and LIPA LIZENZ-UND PATENTVERWERTUNGSANSTALT 17 May 1976 [16 May 1975] 20306/76 Heading A6D String separators 10, e.g. of self-lubricating plastics, and comprising mutually perpendicular ridges 16. 18 are inserted one at a time between overlapping strings of a racket by means of a hand-manipulated device comprising a body with a handle 26 and at one end a pair of string-engaging prongs 28, and a supply member 46 pivoted to the body prongs 28 and having a channel 48 through which the separators 10 may pass to the region of the prongs 28, for insertion when a blocking member 54 fixed to the body and slidable in a slot 52 in the supply member 46 is moved out of the channel 48, e.g. by the bottom of the member 46 being pressed against strings whilst the prongs 28 engage a chosen string, Fig. 8, a further guide channel 34, 36 passing through the body and connecting the member 46 to a store 24 for separators. The supply member 46 is spring- urged 42 into a position where the channels 36, 48 are aligned but blocked by the blocking member 54 and has a region of the channel 48 between the body and the blocking member 54 sufficient for only one separator. The part 36 of the channel through the body and the channel 48 in the supply member 46 have guide rails 38, 50, respectively, that engage one of the ridges 16, 18 of a separator 10 to ensure its being fed to the region of the prongs in a chosen orientation: only those separators 10 in the region 34 of the channel through the body with such an orientation pass through the body. Separators 10 are manipulated in the region 34 by, e.g. shaking the device, to the required orientation for passage down the channel 36.  Further embodiments: (a) (Figs. 9 to 11). Four channels spaced rectangularly in section may be provided through the body and the supply member and prongs form a single member slidable transversely of the body so that the channel through the supply member may be aligned with any of the four channels; means may be provided to make such alignment of a snap action. (b) (Figs. 12 and 13) the store and four channels through the body may form a single unit rotatable within the rest of the body, the channels carrying guide rails to align the separators on introduction, e.g. by shaking in a vertical position from the store. Two channels are arranged for the desired alignment and two for incorrect alignment, suitable rotation enabling the separators of the desired alignment to be fed to the supply member for insertion, those of the incorrect alignment being returned subsequently to the store by inverting the device. (c) (Figs. 14 and 15) Four channels with guide rails to give the desired orientation are formed in an insert attached to a first part of the body and rotatable with it relative to the rest of the body so as to be aligned in sequence with the supply member. The store is attached to the first part of the body and is rotatable to a limited extent relative to it and to the rest of the body and carries an insert with radial vanes that are used to move the separators over the ends of the channels. (d) (Figs. 16 and 17). Arrangement similar to (c) but having two channels for receiving correctly-oriented separators and storing them for transfer to the supply member, and two channels with guides to receive those not so oriented, the latter two channels opening into a hollow central region whence they may be returned to the store.  (e) (Figs. 18 to 20). Arrangement as in (d) except that four channels are provided each having two guide rails so that they may receive separators either suitably oriented or not, the suitably-oriented being guided to the supply member whereas the unsuitable fall into the hollow central region. The channels are helically positioned (f) (Figs 21 to 23). Similar to (e) but separate sets of channels for suitably-oriented and other separators, those for the unsuitable being shaped to turn the separators to the desired orientation by the time they reach the other end.